Since Catherine, Called Birdy is told in first person, the dominant perspective is Catherine’s. It is clear, however, that many of the people in Catherine’s life do not share her perspective. In many places, Catherine’s point of view may also differ from that of the reader. At times, the novel contains dramatic irony when the modern reader can spot flaws in Catherine’s reasoning and predict the outcome. (The modern reader, for example, is not surprised that it happens to be sunny on October 28th, despite being the feast of Saints Simon and Jude.)
Storyboarding can be a helpful way for students to distinguish Catherine’s point of view from other characters’. Using a T-Chart, have students depict Catherine’s perspective on the left with the contrasting perspective of other characters on the right. Students can include their own point of view or the author’s as well. Below each scene, have students explain the character’s thoughts on the issue depicted or include an illustrative quotation from the novel.
| Catherine’s Point of View | Contrasting Perspective |
|---|---|
| Catherine thinks Shaggy Beard is the most foul person ever to walk the face of the earth. | Catherine's Father: Father sees Shaggy Beard as an average man who will bring wealth and security to Catherine and her family. |
| Catherine thinks all of the sewing, embroidery, and other ladylike tasks she does are pointless and not worth her time. | Catherine's Mother: Mother sees these tasks are part of the life she and Catherine were born into. She believes that accepting them willingly makes life happier and more peaceful. |
| Catherine views Meg as a friend and fun companion. She does not worry about class distinctions and wishes Meg would stop curtseying and calling her "my lady". | Meg: As a peasant, Meg is always conscious of the class difference between herself and Lady Catherine. She is respectful of Catherine and hesitant to act too boldly in front of her. |
| Catherine is impressed with the relics Brother Norbert and Brother Berhtwald bring back from Rome. | Reader: I think the monks may have been fooled by the soldier who led them to the graves. They relics could be fake. Since the graves were unmarked, the soldier could have lied just for the money the monks paid for his help. |
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Student Instructions
Identify examples in which Catherine’s perspective differs from your perspective or that of the other characters in Catherine, Called Birdy.
Engage students in critical thinking by hosting a lively debate about key events from Catherine, Called Birdy. This activity encourages active listening, respectful discussion, and understanding of multiple viewpoints.
Select a moment where Catherine’s perspective clashes with another character’s. Picking a high-stakes scene will spark more interest and deeper discussion.
Divide students into groups, each representing a different character’s perspective. Encourage them to use textual evidence to support their arguments, helping them practice critical reading skills.
Set clear rules for turn-taking and respectful disagreement. Model how to disagree politely so students feel safe to express differing opinions.
After the debate, have students write or discuss what they learned about contrasting perspectives. This step helps solidify understanding and connect the activity to real-world empathy.
Contrasting perspectives in Catherine, Called Birdy include Catherine's dislike of Shaggy Beard versus her father's practical view, and Catherine's frustration with ladylike tasks versus her mother's acceptance. These differences highlight character motivations and societal expectations in the novel.
Students can use a T-Chart or storyboard to compare Catherine's perspective with those of other characters. By illustrating and explaining each side, students better understand how viewpoints shape the story.
Recognizing dramatic irony helps readers see when they know more than Catherine, adding depth and engagement. It reveals character flaws and builds connections between the reader and the text.
A helpful activity is to have students create scenes showing Catherine's view versus another character's, then explain each perspective. This deepens understanding of character motivations and historical context.
Catherine often resists traditional roles and questions authority, while others accept or support medieval customs. These differences create conflict and drive the story in Catherine, Called Birdy.